Of Stone, Wood, and Glass: ALNOBA

How can a New Hampshire community building embody the robust range of meaning contained in the word "sustainability?"

In October 2016, a long-held-dream became a reality. Alnoba, the first Passive House building of its type in the Northeast, is a 14,530 square foot gathering place located on 400 acres of fields and forests in Kensington, New Hampshire. Heat is provided by geo-thermal wells located deep under the building. Electricity comes from a field of solar panels. Barn timber and flooring was recycled from as far back as the 1760’s. And a massive stone fireplace provides community warmth and focus. The building is a spectacularly unique model of sustainability and conservation, and represents New Hampshire at the axis of heritage and high-performance technology and energy efficiency.